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Tom Reed,who previously covered the Blue Jackets for The Dispatch, is back after a five-year absence while working for the newspaper in that city up north: Cleveland. Follow him on Twitter at @treed1919

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Murray's Last Claim To Summer

Posted Sep 12, 2012
by Aaron Portzline

Ryan Murray is not at training camp with his junior club, the Everett Silvertips (WHL). He's not in Columbus, skating informally with the nearly 20 Blue Jackets who are skating and training together. So where is he?

Murray's agent, Rick Valette, told The Dispatch on Monday that Murray has been in the Twin Cities, training with his agency's strength and conditioning coach and skating with a collection of NHL players, including Blue Jackets' defenseman Jack Johnson.

"Ryan finished (last) season in Everett, then came home for a couple of weeks and left to play for Team Canada in the (IIHF) World Championships, which is a pretty big deal for an 18-year-old," Valette said. "He comes home from that in May and takes part in our agency's camp in late May. Then it's the (NHL scouting combine) and pre-draft interview stuff, including a trip to the Stanley Cup. Then it's the (NHL) draft, then the Blue Jackets had him at their development camp and then he's off to play for Team Canada in an exhibition against the Russians.

"What we've got here is a (worn-out) player."

Valette, who said his plan to keep Murray away from the early part of Everett's camp was agreed upon by Everett and the Blue Jackets, said the camp in Minneapolis-St. Paul has gone very well. Murray said the same in a chat with The Dispatch a couple of weeks ago.

If Valette and the Blue Jackets get assurances that Murray can be recalled from his junior club in the event of a lockout, expect Murray to join Everett's training camp by late this week. It started more than two weeks ago.

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